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Getting real close to needing a new motor for my CS project, and would like to make the best choice. I am thinking Merc 50HP four-stroke. However...

Is this motor too much? Too heavy? Are 4 strokes really that much better than 2's. That much quieter? Worth the extra money??

I think I'd like to cruise about 28mph at 80% throttle and hear my stereo. And maybe snatch up a skier once in a while (though I gotta tell ya I'm worried about snatching the tansom off the back of this thing).

I know this could be real subjective, but any comments/advice would be welcome. Thx.

Console Skiff should run quite well with 50 HP, 4 stroke is maybe heavier than 2 stroke of similar power, but, some places are beginning to require 4 strokes for protection of the waters and the air. They just run cleaner.

Ray Macke has well documented speed data for his Cabin skiff, your console skiff might be a bit lighter, therefore slightly faster, so 28mph could be in the cards.

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Noah was a first-time boatbuilder

50hp is a good match for the CS that will see a variety of uses. When I had mine, the 50hp was great for cruising, fishing, tubing and skiing.

If you go with a 4-stroke, look for the lightest 4-stroke you can find. The CS likes weight forward. The more weight in back will require more weight in front unless you install some appropriate sized trim tabs.

If you are looking at a new engine, those direct injection 2-strokes seem to be perfect for this situation (Evinrude e-tek, Tohatsu TLDI, Merc Opti, etc).

The 4-strokes and the direct injection 2-strokes are quiet, nearly smoke free, and very fuel efficient compared to carburated 2-strokes. They are worth it if you are in a position to get one.

Assuming you followed the building instructions, that transom is very solid and not going anywhere. In the end, the transom is fully integrated with the whole structure of the boat.

A 50hp will meet your desired speed and throttle position. Depending on the prop, the CS will typically run 30-34 at WOT with a 50.

Unfortunately, you can only hit about 20-22 pulling a kid on a tube with 2 adults, 4 other kids and a dog in the boat.

thanks very much for your comments. i'll be looking for the light-weight 50.

I have a 40FS EFI on my Tuffy. Its 55% quiter than a 2 stroke. It weighs 216lbs. Its a merc. It uses very little oil and gas. Great motor. Get some power trim going if your looking into one. Yamaha's F50 weight is 237lbs. Merc's is 248. Nissan and Evinrude have the upper end with the TLDI/DFI outboards which Nissan's 50 is a lower weight. Evinrude's is at 240lbs. Honda's weight of a 50hp is 205lbs. And I don't know about Suzuki. Personally Mercury and Yamaha best with the EFI they got going. Saves way more gas and good starting. Hope I've helped some.

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Tuffy with '75 Merc 650 SS.

SOme of the two strokes are environmentally more efficient than the four strokes. Two strokes tend to be lighter, but not always.

Check Bombadier, E-tec website : http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/

You can find two stoke weights there then check sites for Yamaha, Honda, Mercury and Suzuki. I think Yamaha and Mercury have some light four stroke engines.

According to the Evinrude website, the 50HP E-tec 2stroke weighs 240 lbs which is roughly the same as Mercury 50HP 4stroke at 247lbs. Assuming that purchase price & performance would be equal and relative loudness & fuel economy favoring the 4stroke - would there be any compelling reason to get the E-tec 2stroke?

Also, the Merc 60HP also weighs 247 lbs. Other than purchase price, is there any reason not to buy the 60HP instead of the 50HP? (assuming that I don't plan to run it WOT most of the time)

Talked to Barry re: a different CS question and asked why not 60HP. Real simple answer - probably won't be able to get insurance with anything bigger than 50HP.

And I'm guessing this question has probably been asked about every three months since the CS design became available...

Yup, I've been having '60' thoughts lately myself. I've got the hull on its trailer now, and I think I'm going to haul it over to a truck scale and weigh it before I actually purchase that motor. I've got the console / bench installed now, and it already feels heavy. After fitting it out (excluding motor), planning for 13 gallons of fuel and 2 SOB, I'm concerned it's gonna be downright FAT! I'll let ya know...

Walt,

I didn't explain Barry's answer about the 60HP in much detail. He emphasized that it was not an overall boat weight issue but rather a size/weight issue. There is a formula that the insurance companies use to calculate a "safe" power rating and it takes into account length, width, and weight. 50HP is the max that you can "safely" power the CS per the formula and still get insurance. Most boat builders (including me) assume that power rating is solely a boat weight issue but that apparently isn't the case for insurance purposes.

Barry did say "if they know what they are doing" when he was talking about the insurance companies, so maybe you could get lucky and find someone who would insure it. My concern would be that they would happily accept my premium payments and then suddenly "wise up" to deny a future claim...

OT - I'm very early on in the build (still cutting wood) but curious about other CS builder's design choices. Specifically, what are you planning for the fuel tank(s)? I see 13 gallons in your previous post - is this a built-in or portable(s)? Where is/are it/they to be located? Thanks in advance...

Thanks for the motor input, TX. I'll let you know how it turns out...

The fuel tank I'm using is a 13 gallon below-deck (Moeller Marine Products $139.95). I have it installed in the lower part of the (drivers) bench. The fuel fill is accessable when you raise the seat lid. Looks nice. I first planned to put tank(s) under the front floor, but found custom- mades to be out of my budget. I thought about putting the tank under the front seat, but figured the lower the center of gravity of sloshing fuel, the better. I wasn't too crazy about sitting atop a fuel tank, but, there are no power wires down there. And besides, we all gotta go sometime...

Good luck with your project. Since you mentioned you are early into it, please consider a friendly reminder to not get careless with that epoxy. Take it from me, 3/4 of the way into the build is not the time for the hyper-sensativity to kick in. It's real uncomfortable, and I think I could have been prevented it by wearing gloves and long sleeves EVERY TIME I touched the stuff.

Have fun, gotta go scratch